Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement marking the fourth anniversary of the Floods of 2008.

“Today, as we look back four years when the largest natural disaster in our great state’s history hit Eastern Iowa, it isn’t the destruction and devastation we remember. Instead we recall the thousands of volunteers who showed up to help fill sand bags and dig out homes and small businesses. We remember the hero’s work of the emergency personnel who responded and ensured no lives were lost. We remember the work in the immediate aftermath to provide shelter and basic living supplies to those who lost everything. We pause on this anniversary to remember the sense of community that was displayed in the time of need.

“But make no mistake, even though the flood waters are now only a memory, there is still much work that needs to be done. There are many concerns that must be addressed in order for a full recovery. I pledge to continue working to make sure all of Eastern Iowa comes back even stronger and more vibrant than before. No Iowan will ever forget the Floods of 2008 and I will make sure no one in Washington does either.”

BETTENDORF, IA – The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend is pleased to announce that eight nonprofit organizations received $98,784 in grants from the Community Impact Fund. The Community Impact Fund provides the Community Foundation with the flexibility to meet a wide range of community needs each year.

Within the Community Impact Fund, the Core Mission Grant program represents a new focus for the Community Foundation. “The Core Mission Grant program challenges nonprofit organizations to transform how they meet their missions,” stated Susan Skora, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Our intent for this grant program is to fully fund more requests.”

The next Core Mission Grant cycle begins in fall 2012. Organizations interested in applying should visit www.cfgrb.org to submit their Letter of Inquiry by September 1, 2012. Applicants will be notified of approval by September 10, 2012. Approved applicants will be invited to complete a full online application. Full applications are reviewed and grants awarded in early November 2012. Please call Nicole Freise at 563-326-2840 with any questions regarding the grant application process.

The Community Impact Fund is made possible by the generosity of the Community Foundation’s donors. Please visit www.cfgrb.org or call 563-326-2840 to inquire about donating to this fund.

The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend is a nonprofit organization that connects people who care with causes that matter. CFGRB meets the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations as established by the Council on Foundations.

(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA) – The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) is seeking three African American women currently living in Iowa to honor as “History Makers” at the History Makers Gala, which kicks off the 2012 Conference Iowa African American Women’s Leadership Conference. The Gala is a celebration honoring African American women currently living in Iowa who have "made history" because of their efforts and contributions to improving all Iowans communities and lives. The Gala will begin on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite Temple, located at 616 A Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. The Conference, beginning at 8:00 a.m., is all-day event on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 and takes place at the Cedar Rapids Marriott, located at 1200 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

If you know a woman who is a trailblazer, change agent, legacy maker, or role model, you are encouraged you to nominate her as a History Maker! Application forms can be found on-line at www.blackiowa.org/events or by contacting Katherine Smith at
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or 319-862-2101 ext. 216. The 2011 History Makers were Marian Coleman of Iowa City, Nancy Humbles of Cedar Rapids, and Honorable Judge Romonda D. Belcher of Des Moines. The Gala and Conference have been held annually since 2007.

The 2012 Iowa African American Women’s Leadership Conference, “I Am My Sister’s Keeper”, honors the accomplishments of Iowa’s African American women while providing over 400 current and emerging Leaders with networking, personal and professional opportunities, and inspiration. The conference celebrates the proud traditions and contributions of African American women, explores what the legacy means to their past, present and the future, and provides opportunities to mentor young women and inspire them to make a difference in the community.

For more information on this or other programs, please visit the African American Museum of Iowa website at www.blackiowa.org or call 319-862-2101 ext. 223. The AAMI is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is located at 55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

WASHINGTON—Today, President Obama will announce investments to help rural small businesses expand and hire. Home to some of the most diligent and self-reliant Americans, rural communities and our nation’s agriculture industry are vital contributors to employment and exports from the United States. Strong and secure rural communities are essential to creating an economy built to last that rewards hard work and responsibility—not outsourcing, loopholes, and risky financial deals. While the security of the middle class has been threatened by the irresponsible financial collapse and the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, rural Americans continue to come together to buckle down and make ends meet. The values that have helped hard-working, responsible families weather the storm continue to move our economy forward. As a result, while there is still work to do, a new report released today details the progress that has been made in the agricultural economy.

“As we continue to fight our way back from the deepest economic crisis in generations and build an economy that lasts, rural America is helping to lead the charge,” said President Obama. “On farms and ranches; in towns and communities across this country, rural Americans know that we are stronger as a people when everybody gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules. Those are the values we need to return to, and as long as I’m President, my Administration will continue to give our rural communities the support and investment they need to show us the way.”

Last August at the White House Rural Economic Forum, President Obama announced a new commitment to invest in rural businesses through the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program, at no cost to tax payers. Today, President Obama is announcing that more than $400 million has already been invested this fiscal year in these businesses through the Small Business Administration’s SBIC program, and that nearly $2 billion in additional funding will be invested by the end of fiscal year 2016. These investments will continue to help finance, grow, expand, and modernize rural small business operations across the country. The details of the locations, amounts and industries in which these dollars have been invested to date can be found HERE.

Additionally, the Council of Economic Advisers, the White House Rural Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are releasing a joint report today, which notes progress that has been made in the agricultural economy and details steps the Obama Administration has taken to help strengthen the farm economy and support jobs and growth in rural America. To read the full report, click HERE.

Highlights from the report include:

•Innovation: Innovation in U.S. agriculture has kept America’s farms among the most productive in the world. U.S. farm sector income reached a nominal record of $98.1 billion in 2011. Adjusting for general inflation, real farm income in 2011 recorded its 3rd highest level in the last 50 years.

•Exports: While many sectors of our economy are running trade deficits, American agriculture has enjoyed a trade surplus, with record levels of farm exports at $137.4 billion for fiscal year 2011. Yet, it is clear that still more can and should be done to boost agriculture exports. The President’s National Export Initiative has opened new markets for U.S. agricultural products and services and contributed to a historic level of agricultural exports. Once fully implemented, free trade agreements passed under this Administration with Korea, Panama, and Colombia are projected to boost U.S. agricultural exports by $2.3 billion per year.

•Clean Energy: The Administration has pursued polices that promote domestic energy alternatives like biofuels, bioenergy, and wind power to provide new opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and forest managers. Pursuit of an all-of-the-above clean energy and energy efficiency strategy saved Americans a projected 6.5 billion kWh – enough energy to power over 590,000 homes for a year – and nearly doubled the amount of installed wind energy generation in the U.S. over the past three years from about 25,000 MW in 2008 to 47,000 MW in 2011.

•New Industries: The Administration has supported new industry diversification within the agricultural economy. The retail value of the organic industry grew to $31.4 billion in 2011, up from $21.1 billion in 2008. The number of operations certified organic grew by 1,109 – or more than 6% – between 2009 and 2011.

•Community Investment: The rural economy has been strengthened by investments in over 6,250 new community facilities. Additionally, over the last three years, 12,000 USDA grants and loans have been issued to assist over 50,000 rural small businesses.